Kusagakure Gates
Dec 29, 2012 5:02:02 GMT -8
Post by luneth on Dec 29, 2012 5:02:02 GMT -8
[STYLE=margin: 20px 65px 15px 65px; text-align: justify;font-family: arial;font-size: 10px;]A span of several months pronounced the period between my last venture out of Kaminari and our current excursion. My earlier days – the era in which I was the most free, entrusting my allegiance with nothing and noone – were spent traveling afield, wandering a sizable margin of the time, whilst otherwise advisedly journeying to sight-see. At that age I'd been sure to steer clear of larger settlements, in no way looking for unwanted attention, though nonetheless had amassed a fair understanding of the varying country's environs and differences in climate beyond us. My nomadic past had left me indifferent to voyaging beyond the Lightning's abrasive lands upon my arrival; even now, while thrilled to lay my eyes on Kusagakure and its esteemed Kage, the humdrum journey preceding our convergence drew naught but bother.
I would find respite amidst my vexation in our breezing through Ta no Kuni's border. It was a long-familiar region – perhaps my favorite, which may have been tough to comprehend by an initial glance at the domain of nil but rice plants, or by merely experiencing the mild weather and pleasant, if channeled winds. To me, however, the humble realm was synonymous with peace, tranquility, and an elusive beauty that could hardly be understood by anyone not counting themselves as inhabitants of the land. Its geography existed in complete contrast to my present homeland, yet they both shared in common an alike disinterest by outsiders.
I felt it reasonable to believe that that fact in and of itself could explain much of my interest for both of the lands, tying into several other points as well. Considering this, I'd be in a reposed state as Ujiyasu mentioned his want to camp here for the night – and as it approached and midnight's tenebrous shadows eventually subsided across the field, I was able to take a walk alone, sneaking from our site to, on my lonesome, free the repressed feelings of guilt, anger and sorrow that had nearly inundated my senses in our exit from Kaminari. It was more than unusual for my psyche to be affected in such an overwhelming way; not much could force emotion or move me in any fashion, this ringing true even more should I actually attempt to fight such sensations – yet, Eiichiro had, admittedly, been my only friend, and a mentor – the openings his death had left wouldn't be healed in a span of days, that much I knew for certain.
The next morning brought clarity and a new-found impetus; it wouldn't be long before the Land of Grass itself was upon us. My serene pace would meet the prepared Kusa-nin's as we left the area, Ta no Kuni's distinct scent floating subtly in the air, which itself carried the whispering drafts flowing seamlessly through the statuesque greenery and pleasantly across my features.
I dressed lightly today, knowing an abundance of outerwear would've been foolish in the warmer, more humid atmosphere to the west. A flowing white garment [o] clothed my upper segment, its bottom folds leading downward into skinny, black pants and a pair of ankle-cut nin sandals matching in shade. Of course, my tools and equipment were concealed variably along my person, though I wasn't expecting their need, hence my complete foregoing of the white, horned mask that usually lay along my upper back, strapped across my neck. It, along with a few scrolls, miscellaneous items, and the package itself, were stored in a small grey knapsack slung across my shoulders, plodding lightly over my mid-back with each quick stride forward.
It was around noon that we'd reach the dense forestry I'd identify as the jungles of Kusa no Kuni. I stayed close behind the Shinobi native to this land as he traveled, speaking understandably and with thanks as he provided water to battle the sudden change in climate. Once upon a time, I had lived in weather akin in temperature to these lands, though years of residence within the preferred colds, freezing winds, and rain had all but utterly disregarded my body's prior adaptations. The heat was a definite change, though by the time we'd truly began to near Kusagakure, I found it a welcome alteration, bringing back memories of my times in Hi.
At the end of much trekking and engagement in the vise-like jungles, Ujiyasu would lift a certain, profoundly large patch of shrubbery signifying the end of his shortcut and our arrival back on a tame pathway. Our paces heightened equally as the grand village came into view; similar to Kumogakure, the dwelling was carved masterfully into the habitat surrounding it, here being dense flora, immense green hollows, and even oddments such as mushrooms spanning three or four times my slight stature, as well bamboo, a rarity I could only recall seeing but a few times. In our gradual edging toward Kusa's gates, my featureless sclera were removed from the wondrous scenery – they, along with my full attention, instead focused on the men I assumed were shinobi stationed as the entrance's sentries, eyeing our approach inquisitively.
My Cloud hitai-ate was displayed as a thin wrap along my right arm, this same appendage slinging around and searching through the contents of my pack for a certain piece of parchment, and the container whose concealed contents I was to deliver. The bag was nudged to its previous position as we finally coincided with the group, my own gait advancing slightly ahead of my allies before halting altogether, our stop accompanied by a refined tone.
"Izumi Omoi – Chūnin of Kumogakure no Sato, " I stated calmly, affably eyeing the men as I handed one the mission scroll, allowing another to inspect the closed package, "I am here on behalf of my village, to request an audience with your Kage. There is much I must impart."
continued from here.
[/style]
I would find respite amidst my vexation in our breezing through Ta no Kuni's border. It was a long-familiar region – perhaps my favorite, which may have been tough to comprehend by an initial glance at the domain of nil but rice plants, or by merely experiencing the mild weather and pleasant, if channeled winds. To me, however, the humble realm was synonymous with peace, tranquility, and an elusive beauty that could hardly be understood by anyone not counting themselves as inhabitants of the land. Its geography existed in complete contrast to my present homeland, yet they both shared in common an alike disinterest by outsiders.
I felt it reasonable to believe that that fact in and of itself could explain much of my interest for both of the lands, tying into several other points as well. Considering this, I'd be in a reposed state as Ujiyasu mentioned his want to camp here for the night – and as it approached and midnight's tenebrous shadows eventually subsided across the field, I was able to take a walk alone, sneaking from our site to, on my lonesome, free the repressed feelings of guilt, anger and sorrow that had nearly inundated my senses in our exit from Kaminari. It was more than unusual for my psyche to be affected in such an overwhelming way; not much could force emotion or move me in any fashion, this ringing true even more should I actually attempt to fight such sensations – yet, Eiichiro had, admittedly, been my only friend, and a mentor – the openings his death had left wouldn't be healed in a span of days, that much I knew for certain.
☯ ☯ ☯
The next morning brought clarity and a new-found impetus; it wouldn't be long before the Land of Grass itself was upon us. My serene pace would meet the prepared Kusa-nin's as we left the area, Ta no Kuni's distinct scent floating subtly in the air, which itself carried the whispering drafts flowing seamlessly through the statuesque greenery and pleasantly across my features.
I dressed lightly today, knowing an abundance of outerwear would've been foolish in the warmer, more humid atmosphere to the west. A flowing white garment [o] clothed my upper segment, its bottom folds leading downward into skinny, black pants and a pair of ankle-cut nin sandals matching in shade. Of course, my tools and equipment were concealed variably along my person, though I wasn't expecting their need, hence my complete foregoing of the white, horned mask that usually lay along my upper back, strapped across my neck. It, along with a few scrolls, miscellaneous items, and the package itself, were stored in a small grey knapsack slung across my shoulders, plodding lightly over my mid-back with each quick stride forward.
It was around noon that we'd reach the dense forestry I'd identify as the jungles of Kusa no Kuni. I stayed close behind the Shinobi native to this land as he traveled, speaking understandably and with thanks as he provided water to battle the sudden change in climate. Once upon a time, I had lived in weather akin in temperature to these lands, though years of residence within the preferred colds, freezing winds, and rain had all but utterly disregarded my body's prior adaptations. The heat was a definite change, though by the time we'd truly began to near Kusagakure, I found it a welcome alteration, bringing back memories of my times in Hi.
At the end of much trekking and engagement in the vise-like jungles, Ujiyasu would lift a certain, profoundly large patch of shrubbery signifying the end of his shortcut and our arrival back on a tame pathway. Our paces heightened equally as the grand village came into view; similar to Kumogakure, the dwelling was carved masterfully into the habitat surrounding it, here being dense flora, immense green hollows, and even oddments such as mushrooms spanning three or four times my slight stature, as well bamboo, a rarity I could only recall seeing but a few times. In our gradual edging toward Kusa's gates, my featureless sclera were removed from the wondrous scenery – they, along with my full attention, instead focused on the men I assumed were shinobi stationed as the entrance's sentries, eyeing our approach inquisitively.
My Cloud hitai-ate was displayed as a thin wrap along my right arm, this same appendage slinging around and searching through the contents of my pack for a certain piece of parchment, and the container whose concealed contents I was to deliver. The bag was nudged to its previous position as we finally coincided with the group, my own gait advancing slightly ahead of my allies before halting altogether, our stop accompanied by a refined tone.
"Izumi Omoi – Chūnin of Kumogakure no Sato, " I stated calmly, affably eyeing the men as I handed one the mission scroll, allowing another to inspect the closed package, "I am here on behalf of my village, to request an audience with your Kage. There is much I must impart."
continued from here.
[/style]
